Australia to force social media giants to add recommendations kill switch - Bangkok Post
Australia’s federal government is preparing to introduce a "Digital Duty of Care" bill that will require social media platforms to provide users with an option to turn off content recommendation algorithms, aimed at protecting youth from extreme and harmful material.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to unveil the details of the legislation this week, placing new statutory obligations on tech companies operating within the country.
A key proposal in the bill requires social media networks to allow users to disable algorithmic recommendations entirely. Platforms will be mandated to display periodic prompts asking users whether they wish to continue receiving system-curated content or view only posts from accounts they directly follow.
When disabled, users’ feeds will primarily display content posted by friends, joined groups, and followed accounts, rather than personalised posts pushed by predictive algorithms.
Recommendation engines have drawn fierce criticism for prioritising viral content that traps users in "echo chambers" and pushes impressionable young people toward radical viewpoints— a design strategy intended to maximize screen time. Authorities believe the new measure will reduce algorithmic reliance and limit users' exposure to dangerous material involving body image issues, violence against women and youth safety risks.
Under the proposed law, the eSafety Commissioner and certified independent researchers will also gain new investigative powers. They will be authorized to use "sock puppet" accounts, fake profiles posing as minors, to audit and monitor the specific types of content algorithms serve to children online.
Political opposition groups have expressed concern, arguing that algorithms simply reflect the content users seek out. Opponents warn that the proposed legislation could pave the way for political censorship on social media platforms, as debate over the coming policy details continues.
